North Korea sank South Korean battle ship: now what?

South Korean Navy rear admiral Park Jung-Soo talks in front of the wreckage of the naval vessel Cheonan, which was sunk on March 26 near the maritime border with North Korea, at the Second Fleet Command's naval base on May 20, 2010 in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.

The North Korean government today accused South Korea of fabricating evidence that the North sank a South Korean navy ship in March. North Korea has repeatedly denied involvement and warned that any attempt at retaliation would provoke “all-out war.” Investigators from the United States, Australia, Britain and Sweden concluded that the torpedo responsible for sinking the ship had markings consistent with other North Korean missiles. How has the international community responded to their report? Are further sanctions likely? And, can the North’s relationships with the South and with the United States get any worse?

The North Korean government today accused South Korea of fabricating evidence that the North sank a South Korean navy ship in March. North Korea has repeatedly denied involvement and warned that any attempt at retaliation would provoke “all-out war.” Investigators from the United States, Australia, Britain and Sweden concluded that the torpedo responsible for sinking the ship had markings consistent with other North Korean missiles. How has the international community responded to their report? Are further sanctions likely? And, can the North’s relationships with the South and with the United States get any worse?

Guests:

Jim Walsh, International security expert at Security Studies Program, Center for International Studies, at M.I.T.

Gordon Chang, author of Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes on the World (Random House)